Fear. You know the kind. Images and thoughts that steal your sleep, assault your joy and cause you to hide from the world around you. When it strikes, it sometimes comes like lightning. A thought. An image. Out of the blue and just like that, you feel off kilter. Or it may be something that has plagued you for years, a lifetime.

I’m sitting in my granddaughter’s room as I write this blog entry. It’s early and the house is quiet. But in a little while, my younger granddaughter will be back and the house will be filled with laughing, singing, maybe even crying, as she discovers the world around her. And as I sit and think about the two of them, if I allow it, fear can creep in.

I was sharing this with a close friend this week. She’s a new mama and due in a few months. We talked about my blog ideas and when I asked her what things she’d like to read about, she mentioned fear. There’s something about children and the care of them that can conjure up fear. It’s a natural instinct, I guess. Before children, of course you’re aware of your surroundings as you walk through your city and come and go through your daily life. But once children are in the picture, suddenly everything changes. For some parents, it’s the fear of losing the baby before it’s born. And I don’t know one new parent after that gorgeous newborn is home, that doesn’t jump at every sound, every cough, every whimper. When they’re older and walking and wanting to be independent, that fear doesn’t fade.

Although it is instinctual for us to be on alert, the Bible clearly tells us that fear is not of God. It’s not in His plan for us to live consumed with fear.

When we decided to make the move to California, I came over with my son and his family before my husband could. So for the first 6 weeks, I was alone with my almost 2 year-old granddaughter, Audrey, during the day. Wow, if I thought I was a nervous mom 30 years ago, nothing prepared me for being a grandmother whose role was to care for them, protect them. When we would go out, just the two of us, I felt like a Ninja! Looking behind me, ready to attack if anyone came near her, watching ahead of me for dangers I could detect, swinging my head around for any unseen assailants. Yes, I looked crazed. I FELT crazed. This went on for weeks and I couldn’t take it anymore. I had lost the joy of why we made this decision.

One day I said, enough is enough. I grabbed my Bible and walked through my new home and I prayed. And I prayed. Every room was entered and as I walked through the rooms, I prayed for God’s mighty hand of protection over each of us. I quoted scriptures over each bed that as we lay down to sleep each night, we would dream peaceful dreams. I also prayed LOUDLY for those two babies to sleep all night, but that’s another story! I touched each doorpost, believing that all who entered here would feel God’s mighty presence. But most of all, I prayed for His abiding peace. I prayed Philippians 4:7 over each of us. I love this verse because of the truth in these simple words: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And the peace of God…not peace I can try to find in myself but His peace. Peace that passes all understanding. Supernatural peace. What I really love about that is the fact that it’s a Father’s peace. When I read this scripture, I picture myself in my Father’s arms, laying my head on His mighty shoulders and closing my eyes, safe from any harm.

It goes on to say that God’s peace will guard your heart AND YOUR MINDS. Oh, daughter, this is where we need it most. Our minds. That’s where we conjure these “what if” scenarios that then become almost real. We cause our bodies to stress, our minds to reel and our heart to fear the unknown. We were never created to live this way.

The last part of that verse just solidifies it for me. God’s peace, that goes beyond our understanding, will guard your heart and your minds IN CHRIST JESUS. That is so important. It’s IN Christ Jesus that we can rest. It’s in His mighty work on the cross. We didn’t just gain salvation at the Cross, although, that would have been more than enough. We gained God’s peace in Christ Jesus.

Daughter, let this truth speak to you today. And tomorrow and every day, as you walk through life. Be aware, be diligent, be wise as you go through your day whether you’re alone, have a child or two or three in tow, but walk in the knowledge that God’s peace is guarding your mind and heart.